Writing Young Adult Novels [Hardcover]

Hadley Irwin (Author), Jeannette Eyerly (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Hadley Irwin (the writing team of Annabelle Irwin and Lee Hadley) wrote Lilith Summer (Feminist Pr., 1979) and other popular young adult (YA) books. Eyerly wrote See Dave Run (Archway, 1979) and other teen novels. These capable authors encourage and coach would-be YA writers with thoughtful advice on the youth market, handling sensitive issues, avoiding stereotypes, and submitting to publishers. They cover plot, pace, transitions, grammar, and other nuts and bolts aptly, and avoid too many imperatives, allowing novice writers room for trial and error. Widely familiar with teen and other literature, their advice is "Read! Read! Read! Write! Write! Write!" A good, sensible book of its type; recommended.William A. Donovan, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 197 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; 1st edition (March 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898793130
• ISBN-13: 978-0898793130
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well written, quick read, good information, July 20, 2003

By 

Michael Bird (Yorba Linda, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Writing Young Adult Novels (Hardcover)

While some of this out-of-print book is obviously way behind the times, it was still a good read and had some good timeless information. Perhaps the most interesting tidbit was the telling of a bit of advice from a friend in the publishing business. He relates that most of the time he can tell if a book is worth anything in the first 3 pages, certainly by the first 10. Sounds like another book I reviewed (positively) "The First Five Pages" by Lukeman.

The two authors in "Writing Young Adult Novels" had previously published some of their own work, so they had some experience in which to back up their advice. They also relied on a lot of quotes or small passages from popular YA books that were successful and I found that information very helpful.

This book was a fairly light and quick read, and the few hours I spent I considered worth my time. I quickly glossed over the few sections that gave general "how to advice" and laughed at few times they mentioned the problem of looking at a blank white sheet of paper in the typewriter. I can't recall the last time I actually saw a typewriter, and I am quite sure that my two year old will never touch one, however the general advice on how get started, how to proceed and how to finish was all in line with what I have read in more recent books on writing.

For writing in general, I would skip this book and look at some of the more popular offerings (several of which I have reviewed), however, if you have an interest in this field I would recommend reading this book, it is well written, reads quickly and has sound advice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Useful, but suggest other resources as well, November 23, 2008

By 

Patricia M. Jacobsen "writer chick" (Fargo, ND) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Writing Young Adult Novels (Hardcover)

This book provides a good overview of young adult literature up to the 1980s. So if you're writing for now, I'd suggest looking for additional sources. Good writing tips though.